Manage Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions While Sustaining Economic Growth
Manage Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions While Sustaining Economic Growth
Manage Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions While Sustaining Economic Growth
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in collaboration with its partners in the public and private sectors, is
working to bolster efforts to deal with climate change, in terms of mitigation and adaptation, through the National Climate
Change Plan 2050, adopted by the Cabinet in June 2017, and the National Climate Change Adaptation Program, adopted at
the first annual meeting of the UAE Government in September 2017, in addition to other relevant policies and programs.
Objectives
The UAE’s total GHG emissions are expected to continue rising in line with projected economic
and population growth. However, the Climate Plan aims to manage emissions, to ensure that
Climate action furthers the achievement of economic goals for the country while meeting its
climate change objectives by decoupling emissions from economic growth.
Promoting a climate-resilient economy is a prerequisite for the UAE to realize the transformative
change outlined in the UAE Vision 2021. A systematic and scientific assessment of climate risks
and vulnerabilities is at the heart of the Climate Plan. It emphasizes the need to make the nation’s
economy and infrastructure “climate-proof”, protecting its people and ecosystems against
climate-related impacts.
As the UAE continues to invest in non-oil sectors with high growth potential, the Climate Plan
will facilitate a stronger growth momentum in key emerging sectors. This will be achieved by
deploying resource-efficient, innovative measures to generate high added value from the
emerging industries, encouraging job creations in green businesses, and leveraging ( )الفريجنجthe
mutually reinforcing relationship between climate action and economic diversification.
Controlling emissions
The United Arab Emirates has engaged in the implementation of 14 projects for the purpose of
reducing the emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) under the umbrella of Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) projects. In order to reduce its carbon footprint, the UAE monitors the
emission of gases that lead to the greenhouse effect and has reduced its per capita carbon
emissions. Due to better technology and transition to more natural gas in power plants, emissions
of carbon dioxide (CO2) per capita have decreased.
In 1990, the UAE emitted 32.6 tonnes of CO2 per person per year. In 2010, the figure dropped to
21.9 tonnes per person per year.
Sustainable transportation
Transportation is one of the fastest-growing sources of emissions worldwide. The UAE is
investing in new mass transit systems such as Dubai's light rail system and a proposed high-
speed train.
Environmental awards
The Government has adopted a number of local and international certificates of appreciation to
encourage environmental achievements.
These awards include